The San Francisco 49ers’ backup quarterback situation hopefully never becomes that important.
The 49ers want to extend Brock Purdy for big money, and then they’ll be hoping he stays healthy.
But San Francisco drafted another QB in the seventh round this year, Kurtis Rourke out of Indiana.
And Rourke’s best chance of making the roster and making an impact in reserve is to first get healthy.
“A guy that we really liked, and I think really displayed his toughness—played a lot of the year on a partially torn ACL,” 49ers GM John Lynch said. “It was a previous ACL that was done in ’22, and kind of a re-tear, but toughed it out, and played through it.
“Had surgery after the season. So, we took him with the understanding that he’s not going to likely be cleared until training camp, but we just felt like there was a lot of talent, a lot of ability. The guy plays the game the right way, and you can’t have enough good quarterbacks.”
MORE: The latest on Brock Purdy’s contract
Rourke recently shared an update on his injury with TSN’s Dave Naylor.
“They’re going to do a whole evaluation and then I will get on their plan,” Rourke said this week. “They might want to take it slow, but they also might think I’m ahead of schedule and I could get some reps this summer, earlier than expected. I’m always the guy that’s going to try to push and be ready as soon as possible because I hate missing time.
“So, I’m kind of just waiting and trying to strengthen it as much as I can before I head out, knowing it’s up to them and I’ll just get on their plan.”
Rourke was also taken 25th overall in the CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but he’ll first be chasing his NFL dream.
The 49ers also have Mac Jones under contract to potentially back up Purdy.
Rourke has a bit of upside as an accurate passer with lots of college success, not unlike his fellow seventh-round QB brother, Purdy.
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